GERIK: Overgrown and obstructed hiking trails were the primary factors delaying six hikers—including two children and two mountain guides—who were rescued safely after being reported missing on the Trans Gerah Expedition.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Sayani Saidon said Tuesday (Sept 9) that the group encountered severe obstacles, including fallen trees and closed trails, at Gunung Beratoh and Gunung Sepat due to long-term disuse.
"When they reached Gunung Beratoh and Gunung Sepat, they found that the trails to both peaks were closed because they had not been used by hikers for a long time," Sayani said at the Jeti Trojan landing point in Tasik Banding. "The difficulties faced, such as fallen trees and heavy brush, forced them to take significantly longer to navigate their way out."
Sayani added that a total lack of cellular coverage in the dense jungle prevented the group from communicating, sparking alarm among family members when they failed to emerge by their scheduled Sept 3 return date. A missing persons report was filed on Sunday (Sept 6).
The group eventually reached Bukit Bongok on Monday night (Sept 8), where they detected a mobile signal and contacted their families, allowing search and rescue teams to pinpoint their coordinates.
All six individuals—Wan Ahmad Aslam Wan Zairudin, 39; his wife Siti Zulaiha Norizan, 39; their children Diya Raisha, 13, and Ahmad Raef, 9; alongside mountain guides Shafiee Sidek, 49, and Hazman Mamat, 43—were safely evacuated to Jeti Trojan at 10.20am Tuesday after undergoing preliminary medical examinations at the Pos Kemar Health Clinic. – Bernama
